ancestors who ‘received divine approval’.’0 Yet ‘God had foreseen 839 something better for us’: the grace of believing in his Son Jesus, ‘the pioneer and perfecter of our faith’.” Mary — ‘Blessed is she who believed’ 148 The Virgin Mary most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith. By faith Mary welcomes the tidings and promise brought by ~ 261~ the angel Gabriel, believing that ‘with God nothing will be impossible’ and so giving her assent: ‘Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word.”2 Elizabeth greeted her: ‘Blessed is she who believed that there would be a 506 fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”3 It is for this faith that all generations have called Mary blessed.’4 149 Throughout her life and until her last ordeal’5 whenJesus her son died on the cross, Mary’s faith never wavered. She never 969 ceased to believe in the fulfilment of God’s word. And so the Church venerates in Mary the purest realization of faith. 507, 829 II. ‘I Know Whom I Have Believed”6 To believe in God alone U r~ço Faith is first of all a personal adherence of man to God. At the same time, and inseparably, it is a free assent to the whole truth that U God has revealed. As personal adherence to God and assent to his truth, Christian faith differs from our faith in any human person. It is right and just to entrust oneself wholly to God and to believe 222 absolutely what he says. It would be futile and false to place such faith in a creature.’7 Fo believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God 51 For a Christian, believing in God cannot be separated from ~e1ieving in the One he sent, his ‘beloved Son’, in whom the ather is ‘well pleased’; God tells us to listen to him.’8 The Lord self said to his disciples: ‘Believe in God, believe also in me.”9 e can believe in Jesus Christ because he is himself God, the Word de flesh: ‘No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the U m of the Father, he has made him known.’2° Because he ‘has ~